Pipe and Glass

James and Kate Mackenzie won the accolade for The Pipe and Glass Inn, a 17th century pub in South Dalton, a village to the north of Hull.

The couple replace Mr Blumenthal in the number one spot. The television chef won the award last year for The Hinds Head in Bray, Berkshire, which is also the location of his world-famous restaurant The Fat Duck.

The Mackenzies bought The Pipe and Glass as a wreck in 2006. The couple, who had never owned a pub before, invested all the spare cash they had — £20,000 – in doing it up.

Mr Mackenzie told The Daily Telegraph that they started with a blackboard menu and just a handful of staff. The pub now has 12 chefs and a Michelin star.

The pub specialises in “refined yet hearty” food, according to Rebecca Burr, editor of the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide.

We are proud to have been their coffee supplier since 2006. Well done Kate, James and the team.

We are delighted to announce the launch of Chez Toi — the domestic internet sales site of Cafe du Monde.

Click here to see more…

This makes Newby the most awarded tea company in the history of the Awards, with a total of 64 awards over 6 years.  Newby’s commitment to packing at source, and creating unique blends is constantly recognised by the awards, rewarding years of dedication to finding the best teas in the world.

Edward Berry, COO of Newby Teas, said: “We are delighted with these awards. Winning such an unprecedented number of Great Taste Awards recognizes the hard work and dedication that goes into making superb tea. Every member of our team is committed to improving the quality of teas that we source each year and innovating new blends, so it is great to hear that it shows in our products!”

The Great Taste Awards judging standards, devised by the Guild of Fine Food, are the most rigorous in the UK.

Bob Farrand, Chairman for The Great Taste Awards, said: “Winning Gold in the country’s largest and most respected independent food accreditation scheme is a massive pat on the back for any producer — independent proof their products are of the highest quality.  We provide constructive feedback from our expert judging teams and for many, winning 1, 2 or 3-star Gold is exactly what’s needed to help grow their businesses, even during a recession. Every winner should feel very proud that their hard work has been rewarded.”

The Hardwick

When you have worked with the best Michelin chefs in this country and abroad, the ultimate test is as chef-patron of your own establishment. That was the challenge Stephen Terry embraced with relish when, five years ago, he returned to Abergavenny, the scene of his second Michelin star triumph at the Walnut Tree some years earlier. This time, his target was the Horse and Jockey pub, which was tired and in dire need of a new lease of life. With the help and support of his family, it was renamed The Hardwick — after the local area — and opened within four short weeks of purchase.

In Stephen’s own phrase, The Hardwick is a country pub which very much leans towards being a restaurant. Already holder of a prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years, in an exhilarating month, September saw him pick up the accolade of AA Restaurant of the year in Wales, barely a fortnight after the pub was completely transformed with the addition of eight 5-star bedrooms, an extra dining room for 70 –100 covers and an extended bar area.

“All things to all men” is the way Stephen likes to think of the Hardwick. There pervades an inclusive, relaxed and informal atmosphere here that appeals for a romantic meal for two, a family gathering, a special celebration or just to meet friends for a drink. Produce is treated with the respect it deserves and is served with the minimum of fuss and maximum of flavour, using seasonal produce that allows customers and staff alike to look forward to fresh ingredients as they rotate with the seasons.

One of the many pleasures of moving away from ‘the Smoke’ is that he now lives a lot closer to the source of the produce that features on his menus. Imagine visiting suppliers directly, selecting the produce with their help, then cooking it for them at The Hardwick, where they are credited on the menu. This holds true of the black welsh organic lamb from Sarah Dickens and Nick Miller’s family farm outside Abergavenny. It is true of Amanda Sraddling of ‘Veggies Galore’ and Philip Bevan of ‘Ty Mawr Organics’, his two organic vegetable suppliers; it is similarly true of numerous other suppliers who receive a credit on both menu and website.

Although the coffee comes from further afield, his respect for Café du Monde is undiminished. Acting on a recommendation just six months ago, Stephen appointed them to supply all his coffee needs and he has not ended up disappointed.

“Supplier relationships are the bedrock of our business” emphasises Stephen, “so we have been delighted to find a coffee merchant of the calibre of Café du Monde. Their coffee is of the highest order; deliveries happen like clockwork and staff are a real pleasure to deal with. They were recommended to me and I would reciprocate to others.

For restaurant/hotel details see www.thehardwick.co.uk

Cotswold House Hotel

At the heart of the Cotswolds lies the archetypal English village of Chipping Campden.  It is home to the most charming of hostelries, The Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, which is centrally located on the high street. Originally a Regency townhouse, the magnificent façade of dressed Cotswold stone houses one of the most luxurious boutique hotel experiences anywhere in the area. A dynamic young management team here has transformed a stay at the hotel into a magnificent, cosseted experience.

Here you will find the very best you could wish for in modern hospitality – tranquillity — sublime comfort, exceptional cuisine, a stunning new Temple Spa, two acres of extensive gardens and some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside on the doorstep.

Enter by the front door and the hotel opens up tardis-like before you, belying the graceful but compact façade. There are 30 individually designed bedrooms with a room to suit every guest from deluxe king size doubles to suites with gardens and hot tubs or baths with their own TV, big enough to share. Mood lighting, Frette linen, underfloor heating, room bars, cosy fireplaces and Temple branded toiletries complete a picture of sheer opulence.

Venture out of your room for sustenance and you are similarly embarrassed for choice. With its sweeping bar and chic contemporary design, Hicks Brasserie is casual and relaxed, serving meals throughout the day and boasting the best Bellinis for miles around. Gourmet restaurant, Juliana’s, exudes elegance without pomposity, with its unique light sculpture, fascinating ice bar and roaring log fire. It perfectly showcases the art of Executive Chef, Damian Clisby, who has recently joined the management team having previously been Executive Chef at FJB Haven Hotel in Sandbanks and, prior to that, with the Rivington Grill and the two Michelin starred Pied à Terre.

His cuisine draws its inspiration from the finest ingredients of dedicated Cotswold producers – be it wholesome crusty breads, locally churned cheeses, home-reared meats, vegetables from the Vale of Evesham or jams and preserves from small-scale artisan producers. They have but one thing in common. They care deeply about what they do.

The same could be said for coffee supplier, Café du Monde, which provides Cotswold House will all its coffee needs. This includes its renowned cafetière service, with free loan stainless steel cafetières and portion packs of Kenya and Decaffeinated coffee. It also supplies Grand Cru beans for espresso service.

General Manager of The Cotswold House Hotel, Duncan Fraser, was instrumental in appointing Café du Monde two years ago:

“We are delighted with the coffee” he says “and regularly receive compliments on its quality. Their passionate approach to their product earns them a richly deserved place amongst our niche suppliers.”

For more information on the full range of Café du Monde coffee systems, call 01322 284804 or log on to www.cafedumonde.co.uk

For hotel details see www.cotswoldhouse.com

Newby Jasmine Blossom Caddy

Last week the results of the “Great Taste Awards 2010” were announced and we are delighted say that Newby Teas gained 13 Awards.

The Great Taste Awards is completely independent and the judging by industry experts is uncompromisingly  rigorous. Stars are given to products for their excellence and are generally thought of as the food and drink equivalent of the “Oscars”.

A coveted 3 Star Award was given to Newbys superb Imperial Jasmine (caddy).

2 Star Winners are Jasmine Blossom (teabags), Jasmine Monkey (windows carton), and Green Sanguinello (catering pouch). Other Star Award Winners include: Fujian Oolong (window caddy), White Peony (window carton), English Breakfast (caddy), Kaziranga (caddy), Gir (caddy), Hakunda (caddy), Kailash (caddy), Indian Breakfast (carton) and Rosehip and Hibiscus (teabags) which is very popular in our Service en Chambre Hotel bedroom beverage package.

Browse our website for more information on any of the teas, or go to www.newbyteas.com

The Franke Pura is perfectly suited to hotel and restaurant applications and is a very welcome addition to our range of coffee equipment. .…… Watch this space.…..

Fairtrad Logo

22nd February — 7th March 2010

Going green and being sustainable doesn’t have to cost your business, Café du Monde is here to help. To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight and the Fairtrade Foundations 15th year Café du Monde are offering a free 4 cup cafetiere worth £29.95 with every two cases of Fairtrade “singles” purchased at £50.50 per case, post and packing included or half a case of Fairtrade Beans worth £23 with every two cases of Fairtrade Beans at £46 per case. To apply for the free offer just order during Fairtrade Fortnight between 22nd of February – 7th March 2010.

Since the introduction of Fairtrade certified coffee annual UK sales have rocketed from £13.7 million in 1998 to £137.3 million in 2008. The foundation’s latest survey shows that 70% of the UK’s population recognise the Fairtrade Mark and also link the Mark to a better deal for producers in the developing world.

In February the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) is being launched. This is good news for the industry, because as well as giving advice to businesses who want to become greener, it will also be giving awards to proactive ‘green’ restaurants. Successful restaurants will be able to display an SRA audit sticker in their window, denoting a bronze, silver or gold award, which, it is hoped, will become as recognisable as those of Michelin. The awards will also put audited restaurants at a commercial advantage as in a recent SRA survey 70% of customers said they would be more likely to eat at a restaurant that took environmental issues seriously.

Café du Monde not only offers a range of Fairtrade coffees, but also Rainforest Alliance (RFA). The RFA and its partner group the Sustainable Agriculture Network have demonstrated that traditional, forested coffee farms are havens for wildlife so by choosing Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee you can support farmers who maintain these rainforest refuges. The RFA have also worked for many years with farmers to seek a balance between traditional farming and new high production techniques. These forward thinking farmers, scientists, agronomists and environmentalists have developed farm-management guidelines that maintain eco-friendly traditions, add a growing awareness of social responsibility, and ensure economic sustainability.

RFA coffees available are Premier Cru espresso beans 6 x 1kilo, Pour and Serve filter coffee 80 x 1.9 litre sachets, Bulk Brew filter coffee 40 x 5 litre sachets and also for cafetieres bulk coffee in 4 x 1 kilo packs.

For further information on environmental and sustainable legislation that is expected this year click on the websites below.

Website links: www.fairtrade.org.uk, www.thesra.org, www.rainforest-alliance.org, www.cafedumonde.co.uk

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This year we have decided to donate the money we would usually spend on Christmas cards and postage to “Help for Heros”.  Following the appalling list of casualties sustained by our troops in Afghanistan, it would be difficult to think of a more deserving cause.

So from all of us at Café Du Monde we would like to wish all our customers and suppliers and very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

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On Friday 20^th November, 20 members of staff and their partners celebrated 20 years of Café du Monde.  The venue chosen for the festivities was the award winning South Lodge Hotel, Lower Beeding.  From the pre dinner drinks in the drawing room, where memories were shared and missing colleagues remembered the whole weekend was magical.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by “Encore” singing songs from all the popular musicals whilst we all enjoyed a splendid 3 course meal hosted by Catey award wining Erick Kervaon.  Not too many glasses of wine were consumed as the coach was leaving at 8 am the following morning for Goodwood motor circuit for a morning of competitive driving.

The agenda for the morning was fast and furious for in two and a half hours the five teams were timed as they skidded around a track, raced in the go karts and drove blindfolded in a mini moke around a slalom course.  Laughter rang around the circuit and usually at the expense of one of the team skidding off the track or crushing a cone.  A further surprise for the morning was a flight in a helicopter. There were a few nervous faces but everyone took part in all the activities and any nerves were quickly forgotten.

Lunch was provided back at South Lodge in the Pass Restaurant where a we were given a demonstration on how to prepare Game before a four course lunch which was prepared and served expertly before our very eyes.

The weekend finished with coffee and speeches where David and Mike reminisced over the past 20 years and thanked all colleagues, families and friends for there loyalty and support.  Tears and smiles all round!